Liquid level regulator device

Abstract

A liquid regulator device has a buoyant body which is anchored to a side of the vessel by an electrical conductor. The body contains a movable ballast in the form of a ball and an attitude sensitive switch connected to the electrical conductor. The buoyant body floats in the liquid with one end in the uppermost position. Changing the liquid level tensions the electrical conductor causing the body to tumble. When the body has tumbled through a predetermined angle, the ballast moves from one end of the body to the other to cause the body to rapidly assume the reverse orientation. This causes the attitude sensitive switch to change state, which is used to control the liquid level.

I claim: 
     
       1. A liquid level regulator device comprising: a float body;   an elongate flexible anchor means attached to a first end of said body and attachable to an anchor point within a vessel in which a liquid level is to be regulated for anchoring said float body in an orientation with one end of said float body uppermost in said liquid;   a movable ballast within said float body for determining an orientation of float body, said ballast being movable between first and second positions near said ends of said float body for initiating tumbling of said float body for reversing said orientation in response to tension on said anchor means produced by a predetermined change in said liquid level;   an attitude sensitive switch within said float body and responsive to said reversing of said orientation of said float body for controlling a level of said liquid.   
     
     
       2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the attitude sensitive switch is a mercury switch. 
     
     
       3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the mercury switch comprises an angled tubular body containing a quantity of mercury, the tubular body having at least one electrode located near one end thereof. 
     
     
       4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the tubular body is electrically conductive which serves as an earth terminal for an electrical current through the switch. 
     
     
       5. The device according to claim 3, wherein an angle of said angled tubular body is substantially 90°. 
     
     
       6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the float body includes an aperture near its one end to provide an access for the electrical cable into the float body, the aperture being sealed off around the cable by means of a molded sealing gland. 
     
     
       7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the elongate flexible anchor means comprises an electrical cable which is connected to the attitude sensitive switch. 
     
     
       8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the float body is formed from a buoyant material defining within the float body an elongate essentially cylindrical chamber for accommodating said movable ballast. 
     
     
       9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the movable ballast comprises a weight in the form of a ball of a material which is relatively more dense than the material of the float body, said ball being at least substantially equal to a weight of the float body. 
     
     
       10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the chamber features constricted retaining sockets at each end thereof which serve to retain the ball stable in one particular socket until the attitude of the float body changes by a predetermined amount. 
     
     
       11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the retaining sockets are adapted to retain the ball stable in its associated socket until the float body is tilted to between 70° and 100° from the vertical. 
     
     
       12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the mercury switch comprises an angled tubular body containing a quantity of mercury, the tubular body having at least one electrode located near one end thereof. 
     
     
       13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elongate flexible anchor means comprises an electrical cable which is connected to the attitude sensitive switch. 
     
     
       14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the float body is formed from a buoyant material defining within the float body an elongate essentially cylindrical chamber for accommodating said movable ballast. 
     
     
       15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the movable ballast comprises a weight in the form of a ball of a material which is relatively more dense than the material of the float body. 
     
     
       16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the chamber features constricted retaining sockets at each end thereof which serve to retain the ball stable in one particular socket until the attitude of the float body changes by a predetermined amount. 
     
     
       17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the retaining sockets are adapted to retain the ball stable in its associated socket until the float body is tilted to between 70° and 100° from the vertical. 
     
     
       18. The device according to claim 15, wherein the chamber features inwardly projecting annular ridges towards each end thereof which serve to retain the ball stable at one particular end until the attitude of the body changes by a predetermined amount. 
     
     
       19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the annular ridges are adapted to retain the ball stable at its associated end until the float body is tilted to between 70° and 100° from the vertical. 
     
     
       20. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a float attached to said anchor means to compensate for a weight of said anchor means. 
     
     
       21. A method or regulating a liquid level in a vessel comprising: providing a float body having a first end of an elongate flexible anchor means attached to a first end of said float body, a movable ballast within said float body for determining an orientation of said float body and an attitude sensitive switch within said float body;   attaching a second end of said anchor to a wall of said vessel at a point between a highest and a lowest level of said liquid, said float body being orientated in said liquid with one end being uppermost in said liquid;   changing a level of said liquid;   tensioning said anchor means by a predetermined change in said liquid level for initiating movement of said ballast;   initiating tumbling of said body by said movement of said ballast from a first to a second position near opposite ends of said float body for reversing said orientation;   reversing a state of said attitude sensitive switch for controlling a level of said liquid.   
     
     
       22. Method of claim 21, wherein said anchor is attached to a point midway between said highest and lowest levels.